The big surprise from the Grassley Six progress report yesterday was that Benny Hinn–not known as the most transparent guy in the world--decided to step up and give the senator what he wanted.

Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, released an extensive statement revealing, among other things, that he had never heard of the “prosperity gospel” until he started this oversight investigation last November (Chuck, you need to get out more), but he wanted it made clear that he doesn’t care what’s being preached, he is just basically opposed to taxpayer support being given to preachers who use charitable contributions to support champagne-and-private-jet lifestyles.

The full press release is available here [1], but meanwhile here are the grades after eight months of Grassley staff digging into the financial affairs of the six ministries:

Joyce Meyer Ministries: A+
Benny Hinn and World Healing Center Church: A
Randy and Paula White, Without Walls International Church: C
Eddie Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church: D-
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland: F
Creflo and Taffi Dollar, World Changers Church International: F-

The last two on the list have more or less openly defied the committee and dared Grassley to issue subpoenas. Eddie Long sent a big pile of paper that wasn’t really responsive to the questions the committee asked. Randy and Paula White, whose church is in shambles along with their marriage, are probably just treading water, trying to figure out where the money went, not to mention where that lovin’ feelin’ went.

And Joyce Meyer, mercilessly lampooned after reports about her $23,000 marble-topped commode got out, should get a big kiss and a hug for coming completely clean from day one. Or Benny can just blow on her. Grassley was using words like “good faith” and “reform” to describe Benny’s ministries. Truly a sign of the apocalypse.